Tubing connection system for negative pressure wound therapy

ABSTRACT

A resilient connector for a negative pressure wound therapy system. The connector includes a first lumen having an entrance dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a projection of a canister adapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to a first portion of reduced pressure tubing and an exit dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a first projection of a dressing adapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to a second portion of reduced pressure tubing. The connector further a second lumen having an entrance dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a second projection of the canister adapter to provide fluid communication of the second lumen to a first portion of secondary pressure tubing and an exit dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a second projection of the dressing adapter to provide fluid communication of the second lumen to a second portion of the secondary pressure tubing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/733,128 filed Sep. 19, 2018, entitled “Connectorwith Valve for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System,” the entirecontents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of negative pressure wound therapy.More particularly, this disclosure relates to a tubing connection systemfor removably connecting a first portion of tubing fluidly connected toa collection canister to a second portion of tubing fluidly connected toa wound site in a negative pressure wound therapy system.

BACKGROUND

The primary purpose of negative pressure wound therapy (also referred toas “reduced pressure therapy” or “vacuum therapy” in the medicalcommunity) is to apply a reduced pressure (also referred to as “negativepressure” or “vacuum pressure” but will be referred to herein as“reduced pressure”) to a wound site to stimulate healing and removeexcess exudate from the wound site. The major components of a negativepressure wound therapy system (hereinafter “NPWT system”) include areduced pressure source (e.g., vacuum pump), a waste canister forcollecting extracted exudate from the wound site, a wound enclosure forcovering the wound site (e.g., an assembly for directing air flow at thewound site and enclosing various layers such as a drape, dressing foam,etc. as known in the art), and one or more lumens (e.g., tubing) fluidlyconnecting the wound enclosure to the reduced pressure source and thecanister.

In certain NPWT systems, at least two fluid flow paths are provided.According to a first fluid flow path, the reduced pressure source isoperable to provide a primary reduced pressure to the wound enclosuresuch that fluid flows from the wound enclosure to the canister through afirst lumen system. The primary reduced pressure generated by thereduced pressure source serves both to stimulate healing by applying thereduced pressure to the wound site and to remove exudate from the woundenclosure to the canister. Using a second fluid flow path connected tothe wound enclosure through a second lumen system, the primary reducedpressure being applied to the wound enclosure by the reduced pressuresource may be measured/monitored. Further, the second fluid flow pathmay also be connected to a secondary pressure source (such as the outletof the reduced pressure source or a separate pump) to provide asecondary pressure to the wound enclosure through the second lumensystem to assist the reduced pressure source.

In NPWT systems, it is desirable to provide a connection system disposedbetween the canister and the wound enclosure for connecting anddisconnecting the application of reduced pressure to the wound site. Forexample, a wound dressing may need to be replaced before the collectioncanister is full. Thus, in this situation, the connection systemprovides the ability for the hospital staff to be able to disconnect theexisting wound enclosure from the reduced pressure source to replace thedressing without having to replace the existing canister. Similarly, itmay also be desirable to replace the collection canister when it becomesfull of exudate without having to remove the wound enclosure aspositioned on the user/patient.

One issue that arises when providing a connection system disposedbetween the canister and wound enclosure is that it is critical that thedifferent lumen systems used to provide the multiple fluid flow pathsare connected correctly to ensure that exudate already removed from thewound enclosure and disposed within the first lumen system is notreturned to the wound site. Another issue with existing connectionssystems (such as the connection system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,408,751) is that existing connectors/adapters include a large profileor otherwise create discomfort to the user when, for example, the userlays on the connection system. Yet another issue with existingconnection systems is that they use luer lock type fittings in which itis cumbersome to attach the separate pieces together and/or it is oftenunclear whether the connections have been made properly to preventleakage within the system.

What is needed, therefore, is an improved tubing connection system for aNPWT system.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by a connection system for providingreduced pressure along a first fluid flow path and secondary pressurealong a second fluid flow path to a wound site. The connection systemincludes a connector formed of a resilient material configured to befluidly connected to a canister adapter where the canister adapterincludes a first projection in fluid communication with a first portionof reduced pressure tubing and a second projection in fluidcommunication with a first portion of secondary pressure tubing. Theconnector includes a canister connecting end and a dressing connectingend opposite the canister connecting end. A first lumen extends throughthe connector from the canister connecting end to the dressingconnecting end. The first lumen includes a first lumen entrance disposedat the canister connecting end and a first lumen exit disposed at thedressing connecting end. The first lumen entrance is dimensioned andconfigured for slidably engaging the first projection of the canisteradapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to the firstportion of reduced pressure tubing along the first fluid flow path. Asecond lumen also extends through the connector from the canisterconnecting end to the dressing connecting end with the second lumenbeing fluidly isolated from the first lumen. The second lumen includes asecond lumen entrance disposed at the canister connecting end and asecond lumen exit disposed at the dressing connecting end. The secondlumen entrance is dimensioned and configured for slidably engaging thesecond projection of the canister adapter to provide fluid communicationof the second lumen to the first portion of secondary pressure tubingalong the second fluid flow path.

According to certain embodiments, the connection system further includesa multi-lumen tube for providing fluid communication of the first fluidflow path and the second fluid flow path from the connector to the woundsite, the multi-lumen tubing including the second portion of reducedpressure tubing and the second portion of secondary pressure tubing.

According to certain embodiments, the connection system further includesa dressing adapter having a first projection fluidly connected to thefirst lumen exit of the connector, a reduced pressure lumen in fluidcommunication with the first projection at a proximal end and a secondportion of reduced pressure tubing at a distal end, a second projectionconnected to the second lumen exit of the connector, and a secondarypressure lumen in fluid communication with the second projection at aproximal end and a second portion of secondary pressure tubing at adistal end.

According to certain embodiments, the dressing adapter includes a thirdprojection and a fourth projection disposed at the distal end of thedressing adapter, the third projection fluidly connecting the reducedpressure lumen of the dressing adapter to the second portion of reducedpressure tubing and the fourth projection fluidly connecting thesecondary pressure lumen of the dressing adapter to the second portionof reduced pressure tubing.

According to certain embodiments, the connection system further includesa wound enclosure for positioning at the wound site, the wound enclosurefluidly connected to the second portion of reduced pressure tubing andthe second portion of secondary pressure tubing at a distal end of thetubing opposite the dressing adapter.

According to certain embodiments, the canister connecting end of theconnector is configured to be removably connected to the first andsecond projections of the canister adapter, the dressing connecting endis fluidly sealed to the first and second projections of the dressingadapter, the distal end of the reduced pressure lumen of the dressingadapter is fluidly sealed to a proximal end of the second portion ofreduced pressure tubing, the distal end of the secondary pressure lumenof the dressing adapter is fluidly sealed to a proximal end of thesecond portion of the secondary pressure tubing, and a wound enclosureis fluidly sealed to the distal ends of the second portions of thereduced pressure tubing and the secondary pressure tubing.

According to certain embodiments, the connector further includes a keyreceiver disposed adjacent to the first lumen entrance and the secondlumen entrance that is dimensioned and configured to receive a key ofthe canister adapter disposed adjacent the first projection and thesecond projection of the canister adapter. The key receiver isconfigured for preventing the first projection of the canister adapterfrom being inserted into the second lumen entrance of the connector andthe second projection of the canister adapter from being inserted intothe first lumen entrance of the connector.

According to certain embodiments, the first projection of the canisteradapter is spaced apart from the second projection and has a greatercircumference than the second projection such that the first lumenentrance of the connector is spaced apart from the second lumen entranceand the first lumen entrance has a diameter that is greater than thesecond lumen entrance for preventing the first projection of thecanister adapter from being inserted into the second lumen entrance ofthe connector and the second projection of the canister adapter frombeing inserted into the first lumen entrance of the connector.

According to certain embodiments, the connection system further includesa clamp disposed around the connector for preventing fluid flow throughthe first lumen and the second lumen when the clamp is in a clampedposition and permitting fluid flow through the first lumen and thesecond lumen when the clamp is in an unclamped position.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a connection systemfor providing reduced pressure along a first fluid flow path andsecondary pressure along a second fluid flow path to a wound siteincludes a collection canister operable to be in fluid communicationwith a reduced pressure source and a canister adapter. The collectioncanister includes a first nipple for facilitating a flow of reducedpressure along the first fluid flow path from the reduced pressuresource to the wound site and receiving exudate collected from the woundsite to be deposited in the collection canister, a first portion ofreduced pressure tubing having a proximal end fluidly connected to thefirst nipple, a second nipple for facilitating a flow of fluid along asecond fluid flow path from a secondary pressure source to the woundsite, and a first portion of secondary pressure tubing having a proximalend fluidly connected to the second nipple. The canister adapter isoperable to provide a removable fluid connection along the first fluidflow path between the first portion of reduced pressure tubing to asecond portion of reduced pressure tubing and along the second fluidflow path between the first portion of secondary pressure tubing and asecond portion of secondary pressure tubing. The canister adapterincludes a base portion, a first set of projections extending from thebase portion in a first direction, and a second set of projectionsextending from the base portion in a second direction. The first set ofprojections includes a first projection dimensioned and configured to beinserted into a distal end of the first portion of reduced pressuretubing for fluidly connecting the canister adapter to the first fluidflow path and a second projection dimensioned and configured to beinserted into a distal end of the first portion of secondary pressuretubing for fluidly connecting the canister adapter to the second fluidflow path. The second set of projections includes a third projection influid communication with the first projection and a fourth projection influid communication with the second projection.

According to certain embodiments, the proximal end of the first portionof reduced pressure tubing is sealed to the first nipple of thecollection canister, the proximal end of the first portion of secondarypressure tubing is sealed to the second nipple of the collectioncanister, the distal end of the first portion of reduced pressure tubingis sealed to the first projection of the canister adapter, and thedistal end of the first portion of secondary pressure tubing is sealedto the second projection of the canister adapter.

According to certain embodiments, the connection system further includesa connector formed of a resilient material that is configured to befluidly connected to the canister adapter. The connector includes afirst lumen extending through the connector having a first lumenentrance and a first lumen exit, the first lumen entrance dimensionedand configured for removably engaging the third projection of thecanister adapter to fluidly connect the first fluid flow path to thefirst lumen, and a second lumen extending through the connector having asecond lumen entrance and a second lumen exit, the second lumen entrancedimensioned for removably engaging the fourth projection of the canisteradapter to fluidly connect the second fluid flow path to the secondlumen.

According to certain embodiments, the connection system further includesa multi-lumen tube for providing fluid communication of the first fluidflow path and the second fluid flow path from the dressing adapter tothe wound site, the multi-lumen tubing including the second portion ofreduced pressure tubing and the second portion of secondary pressuretubing.

According to some embodiments, the third projection of the canisteradapter includes a circumference greater than a circumference of thefourth projection of the canister adapter and the first lumen entranceof the connector includes a diameter that is greater than a diameter ofthe second lumen entrance for preventing the third projection of thecanister adapter from being inserted into the second lumen entrance andthe fourth projection of the canister adapter from being inserted intothe first lumen entrance.

According to some embodiments, the canister adapter further includes akey projection extending from the base portion in the second directionadjacent the third and fourth projections and the connector furtherincludes a key receiver disposed adjacent to the first lumen entranceand the second lumen entrance dimensioned and configured to receive thekey of the canister adapter when the canister adapter correctly engagesthe connector.

According to some embodiments, the connection system further includes aclamp disposed around the connector for preventing fluid flow throughthe first lumen and the second lumen when the clamp is in a clampedposition and permitting fluid flow through the first lumen and thesecond lumen when the clamp is in an unclamped position.

According to certain embodiments, the connection system further includesa dressing adapter including a first projection fluidly connected to thefirst lumen exit of the connector, a reduced pressure lumen in fluidcommunication with the first projection at a proximal end and a secondportion of reduced pressure tubing at a distal end, a second projectionconnected to the second lumen exit of the connector, and a secondarypressure lumen in fluid communication with the second projection at aproximal end and a second portion of secondary pressure tubing at adistal end.

According to certain embodiments, the dressing adapter includes a thirdprojection and a fourth projection disposed at the distal end of thedressing adapter, the third projection fluidly connecting the reducedpressure lumen of the dressing adapter to the second portion of reducedpressure tubing and the fourth projection fluidly connecting thesecondary pressure lumen of the dressing adapter to the second portionof reduced pressure tubing.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a connector for anegative pressure wound therapy system is disclosed. The connector isformed of a resilient material and includes a canister connecting endand a dressing connecting end opposite the canister connecting end, afirst lumen, and a second lumen. The first lumen extends through theconnector from the canister connecting end to the dressing connectingend and includes a first lumen entrance disposed at the canisterconnecting end and a first lumen exit disposed at the dressingconnecting end. The first lumen entrance is dimensioned and configuredfor slidably engaging a first projection of a canister adapter toprovide fluid communication of the first lumen to a first portion ofreduced pressure tubing. The first lumen exit is dimensioned andconfigured for slidably engaging a first projection of a dressingadapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to a secondportion of reduced pressure tubing. The second lumen also extendsthrough the connector from the canister connecting end to the dressingconnecting end and is fluidly isolated from the first lumen. The secondlumen includes a second lumen entrance disposed at the canisterconnecting end and a second lumen exit disposed at the dressingconnecting end. The second lumen entrance is dimensioned and configuredfor slidably engaging a second projection of the canister adapter toprovide fluid communication of the second lumen to a first portion ofsecondary pressure tubing. The second lumen exit is dimensioned andconfigured for slidably engaging a second projection of the dressingadapter to provide fluid communication of the second lumen to a secondportion of the secondary pressure tubing.

According to certain embodiments, the first lumen entrance has a greaterdiameter than the second lumen entrance.

According to certain embodiments, the connector further includes a keyreceiver disposed at the canister connecting end adjacent to the firstlumen entrance and the second lumen entrance. The key receiver isdimensioned and configured to receive a key of the canister adapterdisposed adjacent the first projection and the second projection of thecanister adapter for preventing the first projection of the canisteradapter from being inserted into the second lumen entrance of theconnector and the second projection of the canister adapter from beinginserted into the first lumen entrance of the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent by reference tothe detailed description in conjunction with the figures, whereinelements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details,wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a connection system for connecting a NPWT canister to awound enclosure according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged view of the connection point between thecanister and first portion of tubing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a canister having a first nipple forconnecting to a first tube and a second nipple for connecting to asecond tube according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the first and second nipples takenalong line 3A of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a canister adapter according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the canister adapter of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 depicts an overhead perspective view of a resilient connectoraccording to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts a canister connecting end view of the resilient connectorof FIG. 6;

FIG. 7A depicts a cross-sectional view of the resilient connector takenalong line 7A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 depicts an overhead perspective view of the canister adapter ofFIG. 4 being connected to the resilient connector of FIG. 6 according toone embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts an exploded perspective view of an intended connection ofa second portion of tubing, a dressing adapter, resilient connector, anda clamp for the resilient connector according to one embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a side view of a dressing adapter according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10A depicts a cross-sectional view of the dressing adapter takenalong line 10A of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 depicts a front view of an alternate embodiment of a dressingadapter according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts a side view of the dressing adapter of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 12A depicts a cross-sectional view of the dressing adapter takenalong line 12A of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the present disclosure is generallydirected to a NPWT tubing connection system 10 for removably connectinga first portion of tubing 12 that is fluidly connected at the proximalend of tubing 12 to a collection canister 20 to a second portion oftubing 52 that is fluidly connected at the distal end of tubing 52 to awound enclosure 110. In preferred embodiments, the first portion oftubing 12 and second portion of tubing 52 provides at least two fluidflow paths when the first portion of tubing 12 is fluidly connected tothe second portion of tubing 52. Thus, first portion of tubing 12typically includes at least a first lumen 12 a and a second lumen 12 bwhile the second portion of tubing 52 also includes a first lumen 52 aand a second lumen 52 b. When the first portion of tubing 12 is fluidlyconnected to the second portion of tubing 52, lumen 12 a is in fluidcommunication with lumen 52 a to provide the first fluid flow path whilesecond lumen 12 b is in fluid communication with second lumen 52 b toprovide the second fluid flow path.

According to the first fluid flow path (indicated by arrow 14), aprimary pressure source (not shown) is operable to provide a primaryreduced pressure to the wound enclosure 110 such that fluid flows fromthe wound enclosure 110 to canister 20 through first lumen 12 a andfirst lumen 52 a. Thus, the first lumen 12 a and first lumen 52 a mayalso be referred to herein as reduced pressure tubing. The primaryreduced pressure generated by the primary pressure source serves both tostimulate healing by applying the reduced pressure to the wound site andremoving exudate from the wound enclosure 110 to the canister 20.

According to certain embodiments, the second fluid flow path (indicatedby arrow 16) may be used to measure pressure at the wound enclosure 110.In this regard, a pressure measured at one end of a lumen issubstantially equal to the pressure at the other end of the lumen solong as very little to no liquid/exudate is present in the lumen and thelumen inside diameter to length ratio is not too small. As result,measuring the pressure of the second fluid flow path of lumens 12 b and52 b is able to provide a pressure measurement of the wound enclosure110 (as compared to a pressure measurement within the reduced pressuretubing), which is helpful to detect leakage and blockage conditions inthe first fluid flow path 14.

As described in more detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/235,113,filed Dec. 28, 2018, entitled “Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System,”the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, thesecond fluid flow path 16 may also be connected to a secondary pressuresource (not shown) to provide a secondary pressure to the woundenclosure 110 through second lumen 12 b and second lumen 52 b. Thesecondary pressure provided by the secondary pressure source (whenactivated) may be used to facilitate flow of the exudate from the woundenclosure 110 to the canister 20 through the first lumen 12 a and firstlumen 52 a. For example, according to certain embodiments, the primarypressure source may be configured to deliver a reduced pressure of −125mmHg to the wound enclosure 110 via first lumen 12 a and 52 a while thesecondary pressure source delivers a reduced pressure of −80 mmHg to thewound enclosure 110 via the second lumens 12 b and 52 b. Thus, when boththe primary pressure source and secondary pressure source are activated,the second fluid flow path 16 having a pressure of −80 mmHg willconverge at the wound enclosure 110 with the first fluid flow path 14having a pressure of −125 mmHg. The converged fluid flow path in thefirst lumen 12 a and 52 a will then have a greater pressure than the−125 mmHG generated by the primary pressure source to facilitate flow ofexudate from the wound enclosure 110 to the canister 20 through thefirst lumens 12 a and 52 a. Given that the second lumens 12 b and 52 bwill typically have a different pressure than the reduced pressuretubing of the first lumens 12 a and 12 b whether the second flow path isused to measure pressure at the wound site or to deliver a secondarypressure from a secondary pressure source, second lumens 12 b and 52 bmay also be referred to herein as secondary pressure tubing.

In certain embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 1, the first lumen 12 aand second lumen 12 b of the first portion of tubing 12 are formed oftwo separate tubes (which may be adhesively joined along at least aportion of their lengths for convenience). In this regard, it isunderstood that the first fluid flow path 14 must run from the reducedpressure source through the canister 20 for the exudate to be removedfrom the wound enclosure 110 and then deposited in the canister 20.Further, it is advantageous to also run the second fluid flow path 16through the collection canister 20 to decrease the footprint of theoverall system and/or when the outlet of the reduced pressure source isused as the secondary pressure source. Thus, according to the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the collection canister includes two spaced apartnipples 22 a and 22 b. Nipple 22 a is in fluid communication with theprimary pressure source while nipple 22 b is in fluid communication withthe secondary pressure source (when a secondary pressure source isincluded in the system). Referring to FIG. 2, to fluidly connect thefirst portion of tubing 12 to the canister 20, the proximal end 11 a ofthe first tube/lumen 12 a is fluidly connected to the first nipple 22 aof the collection canister 20 while the proximal end 11 b of the secondtube/lumen 12 b is fluidly connected to the second nipple 22 b. Inpreferred embodiments, the collection canister 20 would be provided tothe user (e.g., medical facility) with the proximal ends 11 a and 11 bof the first and second tubes 12 a and 12 b fluidly sealed to the firstand second nipples 22 a and 22 b. For purposes of the presentdisclosure, components referred to as being “fluidly sealed” to eachother refers to a fluid connection that is intended to be permanentduring use of the system. In other words, in preferred embodiments, oncethe proximal ends 11 a and 11 b of the first and second tubes 12 a and12 b are fluidly sealed to the corresponding first and second nipples 22a and 22 b, the connection of the first and second tubes 12 a and 12 bto the canister 20 is intended to be non-removable.

In alternate embodiments, an adapter for first and second nipples 22 aand 22 b could be provided to combine first and second flow paths 14 and16 within a multi-lumen tube. In other words, using an adapter connectedto the canister 20, the first portion of tubing 12 could be a singlemulti-lumen tube containing both the first lumen 12 a and second lumen12 b. However, this results in an additional piece for the canister 20and yet another connection point within the system 10 in which it mustbe ensured that the lumens are correctly aligned and fluid leaks areprevented. In yet another alternate embodiment, the second lumen 12 b isagain a separate tube but it connects to the system somewhere other thanat the container (e.g., directly to the pump outlet).

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the distal ends 13 a and 13 b of thefirst and second tubes 12 a and 12 b are fluidly connected to a canisteradapter 30. In preferred embodiments, the canister adapter 30 is formedas a unitary piece of molded, rigid plastic. As shown more specificallyin FIGS. 4 and 5, the canister adapter 30 includes a base portion 32, afirst set of projections 34 extending from the base portion 32 in afirst direction, and a second set of projections 36 extending from thebase portion 32 in a second direction opposite the first set ofprojections 34. The first set of projections 34 includes a firstprojection 34 a for fluidly connecting to the distal end 13 a of thefirst tube 12 a and a second projection 34 b for fluidly connecting tothe distal end 13 b of the second tube 12 b. To fluidly connect thefirst and second projections 34 a and 34 b to the first tubes 12 a and12 b, respectively, the projections 34 a and 34 b are inserted into thecorresponding distal ends 13 a and 13 b of the tubes. The second set ofprojections 36 then include a third projection 36 a that is in fluidcommunication with the first projection 34 a and a fourth projection 36b that is in fluid communication with the second projection 34 b. Inother words, the canister adapter 30 includes a first lumen extendingthrough the first projection 34 a, the base portion 32, and the thirdprojection 36 a for fluidly connecting to the first fluid flow path 14and a second lumen extending through the second projection 34 b, thebase portion 32, and the fourth projection 36 b for fluidly connectingto the second fluid flow path 16.

In preferred embodiments, the first projection 34 a and secondprojection 34 b are fluidly sealed to the respective distal ends 13 aand 13 b of the first and second tubes 12 a and 12 b. As noted above,proximal ends 11 a and 11 b of the first and second tubes 12 a and 12 bare preferably fluidly sealed to respective first and second nipples 22a and 22 b of the collection canister 20. Thus, in certain embodiments,the canister 20, first and second tubes 12 a and 12 b, and canisteradapter 30 form a canister portion of the connection system 10 that areprovided together by the manufacturer in a fluidly sealed arrangement asdescribed above. As described below, the second set of projections 36 ofthe canister adapter 30 are then able to be used to facilitate aremovable fluid connection to a dressing portion of the connectionsystem via connector 80.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the first and second lumens 52 a and 52 b ofthe second portion of tubing 52 may also be provided using separatetubes. According to this embodiment, the proximal end 51 a of the firstlumen/tube 52 a and proximal end 51 b of the second lumen/tube 52 b areconnected to a dressing adapter 60. Referring more specifically to FIGS.10 and 10A, the dressing adapter 60 is similar to canister adapter 30described above. In this regard, dressing adapter 60 is preferably aunitary piece of molded, rigid plastic that includes a base portion 62,a first set of projections 64 extending from the base portion 62 in afirst direction, and a second set of projections 66 extending from thebase portion 62 in a second direction opposite the first direction.

The first set of projections 64 of the dressing adapter 60 includes afirst projection 64 a for fluidly connecting to the proximal end 51 a ofthe first tube 52 a and a second projection 64 b for fluidly connectingto the proximal end 51 b of the second tube 52 b. To fluidly connect thefirst and second projections 64 a and 64 b to the first tubes 52 a and52 b, respectively, the projections 64 a and 64 b are inserted into thecorresponding proximal ends 51 a and 51 b of the tubes. The second setof projections 66 then include a third projection 66 a that is in fluidcommunication with the first projection 64 a and a fourth projection 66b that is in fluid communication with the second projection 64 b. Inother words, the dressing adapter 60 includes a first lumen extendingthrough the first projection 64 a, the base portion 62, and the thirdprojection 66 a for fluidly connecting to the first fluid flow path 14and a second lumen extending through the second projection 64 b, thebase portion 62, and the third projection 66 b for fluidly connecting tothe second fluid flow path 16. As described further below, the secondset of projections 66 are used to facilitate a removable fluidconnection to the canister portion of the connection system 10 viaconnector 80.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the second portion oftubing 52 may be a multi-lumen tube. In other words, the first andsecond lumens 52 a and 52 b of the second portion of tubing 52 may beincluded within the same tube as known in the art of multi-lumen tubing.According to this embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 11-12 and FIG.12A, an alternate dressing adapter 70 may be used to fluidly connect thefirst fluid flow path 14 and second fluid flow path 16 to a multi-lumentube having first and second lumens 52 a and 52 b. As shown, dressingadapter 70 similarly includes a base portion 72 and a set of twoprojections 76 a and 76 b for providing a removable fluid connection tothe canister portion of the connection system 10 via connector 80.However, in contrast to dressing adapter 60, dressing adapter 70includes only a first projection 74 extending from the base portion 72in an opposite direction of the set of projections 76 a and 76 b.Instead of two separate projections, first projection 74 includes afirst lumen 74 a and a second lumen 74 b disposed within the firstprojection 74. Referring to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12A, thefirst lumen 74 a of the first projection 74 is in fluid communicationwith projection 76 a and the second lumen 74 b is in fluid communicationwith second projection 76 b. First lumen 74 a of the dressing adapter 70is then inserted into the first lumen 52 a of multi-lumen tubing forfluidly connecting the dressing adapter 70 to the first fluid flow path14. Upon insertion, the second lumen 74 b of the dressing adapter 70 isaligned with the second lumen 52 b of the multi-lumen tube for fluidlyconnecting the dressing adapter 70 to the second fluid flow path 16.

In preferred embodiments, the dressing adapter 60 (or dressing adapter70 if connecting to a second portion of tubing 52 in the form of amulti-lumen tube) is fluidly sealed to the proximal ends 51 a and 51 bof the first and second lumens 52 a and 52 b. Referring back to FIG. 1,the distal ends 53 a and 53 b of the second portion of tubing 52 arealso preferably fluidly connected to the wound enclosure 110. Thus, inpreferred embodiments, the dressing adapter 60 (or dressing adapter 70),the second portion of tubing 52, and the wound enclosure 110 form adressing portion of the connection system 10 that are provided togetherby the manufacturer in a fluidly sealed arrangement. As described below,the projections 66 a and 66 b of dressing adapter 60 (or projections 76a and 76 b of dressing adapter 70) are then able to be used to provide aremovable fluid connection to the canister portion of the connectionsystem via connector 80.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the canister portion of the connection system10 (canister 20, first portion of tubing 12, and canister adapter 30) isremovably connected to the dressing portion of the connection system 10(dressing adapter 60, second portion of tubing 52, and wound enclosure110) using connector 80. More specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 6-7and 7A, connector 80 includes a canister connecting end 82 and adressing connecting end 92 opposite the canister connecting end 82.Extending through the connector 80 from the canister connecting end 82to the dressing connecting end 92 is a first lumen 84 a having a firstlumen entrance 83 a and a first lumen exit 85 a and a second lumen 84 bhaving a second lumen entrance 83 b and a second lumen exit 85 b.

With reference to FIGS. 6-8, to fluidly connect the connector 80 to thecanister adapter 30 at the canister connecting end 82, the first lumenentrance 83 a is dimensioned and configured for slidablyreceiving/engaging projection 36 a of the canister adapter 30 to providefluid communication of the first lumen 84 a to the first tube 12 a alongthe first fluid flow path 14. The second lumen entrance 83 b issimilarly dimensioned and configured for slidably receiving/engagingprojection 36 b of the canister adapter 30 to provide fluidcommunication of the second lumen 84 b to the second tube 12 b along thesecond fluid flow path 16.

Similarly, to connect the connector 80 to the dressing adapter 60 at thedressing connecting end 92, and with reference to FIGS. 7A & 9, thefirst lumen exit 85 a is dimensioned and configured for slidablyreceiving/engaging projection 66 a of the dressing adapter 60 to providefluid communication of the first lumen 84 a to the first tube 52 a alongthe first fluid flow path 14. The second lumen exit 85 b is thendimensioned and configured for slidably receiving/engaging projection 66b of the dressing adapter 60 to provide fluid communication of thesecond lumen 84 b to the second tube 52 b along the second fluid flowpath 16.

In preferred embodiments, the connector 80 is formed of aflexible/resilient/elastic material. More specifically, the connector ispreferably formed of a soft plastic or elastomeric material such assilicone, PVC, polyurethane, polyethylene, etc. such that the lumenentrances 83 a and 83 b and lumen exits 85 a and 85 b expand slightlywhen receiving a more rigid plastic projection of one of the adapters toprovide a friction fit type of engagement. In other words, the adapterprojections include a circumference that is slightly larger along atleast a portion of the length of the projection than the lumen entrancesor exits in which the particular projection is inserted. Thus, thematerial of the connector is able to slightly expand and closely coupleto the projections for preventing fluid leaks. This significantly easesconnection for users of the system as compared to prior art luer locktype systems and avoids high levels of dexterity required to twistingand turning to lock connectors together. Further, using a connectorformed of a resilient material permits a low-profile connection that isessentially defined by the thickness of the adapters. This low-profileconnection, along with the soft material used for the connector 80,avoids unnecessary pressure/discomfort points to the patient if they layover the connector 80 and accompanying adapters. Further advantages ofproviding a connection system with adapters having small projectionsinserted into a resilient connector 80 include the ability to create asimple to use but removable seal via the resilient material of theconnector being friction fitted around the adapter projections whilehaving a design that is efficient to manufacture.

In certain embodiments, either the canister connecting end 82 is fluidlysealed to the canister adapter 30 or the dressing connector end 92 isfluidly sealed to the dressing adapter 60. Thus, when the othercomponents of connection system 10 are fluidly sealed as describedabove, there will be only one point within the system 10 in which aremovable connection is permitted/intended. In preferred embodiments,and with reference to the exploded view FIG. 9, the connector 80 isfluidly sealed to one end of the dressing adapter 60, the dressingadapter 60 is fluidly sealed to the proximal ends of the second tubingportion 52 at its opposite end, and, as shown in FIG. 1 the distal endsof the second tubing portion 52 is then sealed to the wound enclosure.Thus, in this embodiment, the canister connecting end 82 of theconnector 80 may be removably connected to the canister adapter 30.

In certain embodiments, and as shown in the present figures, theconnector 80 may include a “grip” feature 90 (e.g., knurlments, raisedribs, ridges, etc.) at the canister connecting end 82 to both assist theuser in locating the removable connection point and to assist the userin gripping the connector 80 at the appropriate location to remove theconnector from the canister adapter 30.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, and as best shown in FIG.8, the canister adapter 30 may include a key projection 38 extendingfrom the base portion 32 in the same direction as the projections 36 aand 36 b while the connector 80 includes a key receiver 88 extendinginward from the canister connecting end 80 (i.e., disposed adjacent thefirst lumen entrance 83 a and the second lumen entrance 83 b). Inoperation, when the projections 36 a and 36 b of the canister adapter 30are inserted into the lumen entrances 83 a and 83 b, the key projection38 and key receiver 88 are positioned and configured such that the keyprojection 38 is inserted into the key receiver 88. This operates toboth confirm that canister adapter 30 is being connected to theconnector 80 properly (i.e., tube 12 a is fluidly connected to lumen 84a of the connector 80 and tube 12 b is fluidly connected to lumen 84 b)and that the projections 36 a and 36 b are inserted a proper depth intothe appropriate lumen entrances 83 a and 83 b. It should be understoodthat key projection 38 and key receiver 88 may take various forms withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, and as shown best inFIGS. 5 and 7, at least projections 36 a and 36 b of the canisteradapter 30 include different circumferences while the first lumenentrances 83 a and 83 b of the connector include corresponding differentdiameters. This also helps ensure that canister adapter 30 is beingconnected to the connector 80 properly (in replace of or in addition tothe key projection 38/key receiver 88 combination described above). As aresult of this feature, other components within the system may also havedifferent circumferences or diameters as depicted in the presentfigures. In particular, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first tube 12 aand second tube 12 b of at least the first portion of tubing 12 may havedifferent diameters. Given that first tube 12 a is intended to deliverwound exudate to the canister 20, first tube 12 a will typically have alarger diameter than second tube 12 b as depicted. As a result of thedifferent diameters between the first tube 12 a and the second tube 12b, the first and second nipples 22 a and 22 b of the collection canister20 may have different corresponding diameters as shown best in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 3A.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a clamp 100 may bedisposed around the resilient connector 80. In the clamped positionfluid flow through the connector 80 along the first and second fluidpaths 14 and 16 is prevented while the fluid flow is permitted in theunclamped position. This allows for a dressing change and/or replacing acanister without disconnecting the entire system. Applying the clamp 100to the resilient connector 80 as opposed to the PVC tubing as known inthe art has several advantages. In particular, a lower actuation forceis required to move the clamp to the clamped position as a result of theresilient material of the connector 80. Further, the clamp isconfigurable to be closely coupled to the connector 80 such that theclamp is held in place by the connector during a dressing or canisterchange even when the tubing is disconnected on one end of the connector(i.e., the clamp 100 is disposed around the connector 80 such that theconnector slightly deforms to provide a friction fit engagement betweenthe clamp 100 and the connector 80. In certain embodiments, one end ofthe clamp 100 may also be disposed around a set of projections of one ofthe adapters (typically the dressing adapter 60) to further preventunintended removal of the clamp 100 when tubing is disconnected from oneend of the connector 80. Another advantage is that the clamp 100 allowsfor the user or medical staff to quickly identify/locate the removableconnection point of the system 10. Similarly, providing the clamp 100adjacent the removable connection point will remind the user to clampthe fluid flow paths before disconnection and to unclamp afterre-connection. Yet another advantage is that the clamp 100 providesadditional gripping surface area to disconnect one end of the resilientconnector 80 from the appropriate adapter.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, canister adapter 30preferably includes a cap 40 configured to be placed over at leastprojection 36 a when the connector 80 is disconnected from the canisteradapter 30 to prevent exudate in tube 12 a from leaking out of theadapter 36 a. Similarly, in embodiments in which connector 80 isintended to be disconnected from dressing adapter 60, a cap may also beprovided for projection 64 a.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, and as shown in thefigures, certain projections of the adapters may include radiallyexpanded tip portions to help seal the projections to the appropriatetubes or lumens of the connector 80. However, in preferred embodiments,the projections of the removable connection are gently sloped to expandin circumference toward the base portion of the particular adapter (seeprojections 36 a and 36 b of FIG. 5) to assist in inserting and removingthe projections from the connector 80. Similarly, the lumen entrances 83a and 83 b of the connector 80 may include a wider portion that slopesinward toward first lumen 84 a and 84 b as depicted in FIG. 7A.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Theyare not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possiblein light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen anddescribed in an effort to provide the best illustrations of theprinciples of the invention and its practical application, and tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the inventionin various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variationsare within the scope of the invention as determined by the appendedclaims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection system for providing reducedpressure along a first fluid flow path and secondary pressure along asecond fluid flow path to a wound site, the connection system comprisinga connector formed of a resilient material configured to be fluidlyconnected to a canister adapter, the canister adapter having a firstprojection in fluid communication with a first portion of reducedpressure tubing and a second projection in fluid communication with afirst portion of secondary pressure tubing, the connector including: acanister connecting end and a dressing connecting end opposite thecanister connecting end, a first lumen extending through the connectorfrom the canister connecting end to the dressing connecting end, thefirst lumen having a first lumen entrance disposed at the canisterconnecting end and a first lumen exit disposed at the dressingconnecting end, the first lumen entrance dimensioned and configured forslidably engaging the first projection of the canister adapter toprovide fluid communication of the first lumen to the first portion ofreduced pressure tubing along the first fluid flow path, and a secondlumen extending through the connector from the canister connecting endto the dressing connecting end, the second lumen being fluidly isolatedfrom the first lumen and having a second lumen entrance disposed at thecanister connecting end and a second lumen exit disposed at the dressingconnecting end, the second lumen entrance dimensioned and configured forslidably engaging the second projection of the canister adapter toprovide fluid communication of the second lumen to the first portion ofsecondary pressure tubing along the second fluid flow path.
 2. Theconnection system of claim 1 further comprising a multi-lumen tube forproviding fluid communication of the first fluid flow path and thesecond fluid flow path from the connector to the wound site, themulti-lumen tubing including the second portion of reduced pressuretubing and the second portion of secondary pressure tubing.
 3. Theconnection system of claim 1 further comprising a dressing adapterincluding: a first projection fluidly connected to the first lumen exitof the connector; a reduced pressure lumen in fluid communication withthe first projection at a proximal end and a second portion of reducedpressure tubing at a distal end; a second projection connected to thesecond lumen exit of the connector; and a secondary pressure lumen influid communication with the second projection at a proximal end and asecond portion of secondary pressure tubing at a distal end.
 4. Theconnection system of claim 3 wherein the dressing adapter includes athird projection and a fourth projection disposed at the distal end ofthe dressing adapter, the third projection fluidly connecting thereduced pressure lumen of the dressing adapter to the second portion ofreduced pressure tubing and the fourth projection fluidly connecting thesecondary pressure lumen of the dressing adapter to the second portionof reduced pressure tubing.
 5. The connection system of claim 3 whereinthe canister connecting end of the connector is configured to beremovably connected to the first and second projections of the canisteradapter, the dressing connecting end is fluidly sealed to the first andsecond projections of the dressing adapter, the distal end of thereduced pressure lumen of the dressing adapter is fluidly sealed to aproximal end of the second portion of reduced pressure tubing, thedistal end of the secondary pressure lumen of the dressing adapter isfluidly sealed to a proximal end of the second portion of the secondarypressure tubing, and a wound enclosure is fluidly sealed to the distalends of the second portions of the reduced pressure tubing and thesecondary pressure tubing.
 6. The connection system of claim 1 whereinthe connector further includes a key receiver disposed adjacent to thefirst lumen entrance and the second lumen entrance that is dimensionedand configured to receive a key of the canister adapter disposedadjacent the first projection and the second projection of the canisteradapter, the key receiver for preventing the first projection of thecanister adapter from being inserted into the second lumen entrance ofthe connector and the second projection of the canister adapter frombeing inserted into the first lumen entrance of the connector.
 7. Theconnection system of claim 1 wherein the first projection of thecanister adapter is spaced apart from the second projection and has agreater circumference than the second projection such that the firstlumen entrance of the connector is spaced apart from the second lumenentrance and the first lumen entrance has a diameter that is greaterthan the second lumen entrance for preventing the first projection ofthe canister adapter from being inserted into the second lumen entranceof the connector and the second projection of the canister adapter frombeing inserted into the first lumen entrance of the connector.
 8. Theconnection system of claim 1 further comprising a clamp disposed aroundthe connector for preventing fluid flow through the first lumen and thesecond lumen when the clamp is in a clamped position and permittingfluid flow through the first lumen and the second lumen when the clampis in an unclamped position.
 9. A connection system for providingreduced pressure along a first fluid flow path and secondary pressurealong a second fluid flow path to a wound site, the connection systemcomprising: a collection canister operable to be in fluid communicationwith a reduced pressure source, the collection canister including: afirst nipple for facilitating a flow of reduced pressure along the firstfluid flow path from the reduced pressure source to the wound site andreceiving exudate collected from the wound site to be deposited in thecollection canister, a first portion of reduced pressure tubing having aproximal end fluidly connected to the first nipple, a second nipple forfacilitating a flow of fluid along a second fluid flow path from asecondary pressure source to the wound site, and a first portion ofsecondary pressure tubing having a proximal end fluidly connected to thesecond nipple; and a canister adapter for providing a removable fluidconnection along the first fluid flow path between the first portion ofreduced pressure tubing to a second portion of reduced pressure tubingand along the second fluid flow path between the first portion ofsecondary pressure tubing and a second portion of secondary pressuretubing, the canister adapter including: a base portion, a first set ofprojections extending from the base portion in a first direction, thefirst set of projections including a first projection dimensioned andconfigured to be inserted into a distal end of the first portion ofreduced pressure tubing for fluidly connecting the canister adapter tothe first fluid flow path and a second projection dimensioned andconfigured to be inserted into a distal end of the first portion ofsecondary pressure tubing for fluidly connecting the canister adapter tothe second fluid flow path, and a second set of projections extendingfrom the base portion in a second direction, the second set ofprojections including a third projection in fluid communication with thefirst projection and a fourth projection in fluid communication with thesecond projection.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the proximal end ofthe first portion of reduced pressure tubing is sealed to the firstnipple of the collection canister, the proximal end of the first portionof secondary pressure tubing is sealed to the second nipple of thecollection canister, the distal end of the first portion of reducedpressure tubing is sealed to the first projection of the canisteradapter, and the distal end of the first portion of secondary pressuretubing is sealed to the second projection of the canister adapter. 11.The connection system of claim 9 further comprising a connector formedof a resilient material, the connector configured to be fluidlyconnected to the canister adapter and including: a first lumen extendingthrough the connector having a first lumen entrance and a first lumenexit, the first lumen entrance dimensioned and configured for removablyengaging the third projection of the canister adapter to fluidly connectthe first fluid flow path to the first lumen; a second lumen extendingthrough the connector having a second lumen entrance and a second lumenexit, the second lumen entrance dimensioned for removably engaging thefourth projection of the canister adapter to fluidly connect the secondfluid flow path to the second lumen.
 12. The connection system of claim11 wherein the third projection of the canister adapter includes acircumference greater than a circumference of the fourth projection ofthe canister adapter and the first lumen entrance of the connectorincludes a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the second lumenentrance for preventing the third projection of the canister adapterfrom being inserted into the second lumen entrance and the fourthprojection of the canister adapter from being inserted into the firstlumen entrance.
 13. The connection system of claim 11 wherein: thecanister adapter further includes a key projection extending from thebase portion in the second direction adjacent the third and fourthprojections; and the connector further includes a key receiver disposedadjacent to the first lumen entrance and the second lumen entrancedimensioned and configured to receive the key of the canister adapterwhen the canister adapter correctly engages the connector.
 14. Theconnection system of claim 11 further comprising a clamp disposed aroundthe connector for preventing fluid flow through the first lumen and thesecond lumen when the clamp is in a clamped position and permittingfluid flow through the first lumen and the second lumen when the clampis in an unclamped position.
 15. The connection system of claim 11further comprising a multi-lumen tube for providing fluid communicationof the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path from theconnector to the wound site, the multi-lumen tubing including the secondportion of reduced pressure tubing and the second portion of secondarypressure tubing.
 16. The connection system of claim 11 furthercomprising a dressing adapter including: a first projection fluidlyconnected to the first lumen exit of the connector; a reduced pressurelumen in fluid communication with the first projection at a proximal endand a second portion of reduced pressure tubing at a distal end; asecond projection connected to the second lumen exit of the connector;and a secondary pressure lumen in fluid communication with the secondprojection at a proximal end and a second portion of secondary pressuretubing at a distal end.
 17. The connection system of claim 16 whereinthe dressing adapter includes a third projection and a fourth projectiondisposed at the distal end of the dressing adapter, the third projectionfluidly connecting the reduced pressure lumen of the dressing adapter tothe second portion of reduced pressure tubing and the fourth projectionfluidly connecting the secondary pressure lumen of the dressing adapterto the second portion of reduced pressure tubing.
 18. A connector for anegative pressure wound therapy system, the connector formed of aresilient material and comprising: a canister connecting end and adressing connecting end opposite the canister connecting end; a firstlumen extending through the connector from the canister connecting endto the dressing connecting end, the first lumen having a first lumenentrance disposed at the canister connecting end and a first lumen exitdisposed at the dressing connecting end, the first lumen entrancedimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a first projection of acanister adapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to afirst portion of reduced pressure tubing, and the first lumen exitdimensioned and configured for slidably engaging a first projection of adressing adapter to provide fluid communication of the first lumen to asecond portion of reduced pressure tubing; and a second lumen extendingthrough the connector from the canister connecting end to the dressingconnecting end, the second lumen being fluidly isolated from the firstlumen and having a second lumen entrance disposed at the canisterconnecting end and a second lumen exit disposed at the dressingconnecting end, the second lumen entrance dimensioned and configured forslidably engaging a second projection of the canister adapter to providefluid communication of the second lumen to a first portion of secondarypressure tubing, and the second lumen exit dimensioned and configuredfor slidably engaging a second projection of the dressing adapter toprovide fluid communication of the second lumen to a second portion ofthe secondary pressure tubing.
 19. The connector of claim 18 wherein thefirst lumen entrance has a greater diameter than the second lumenentrance.
 20. The connector of claim 18 wherein the connector furtherincludes a key receiver disposed at the canister connecting end adjacentto the first lumen entrance and the second lumen entrance, the keyreceiver dimensioned and configured to receive a key of the canisteradapter disposed adjacent the first projection and the second projectionof the canister adapter, the key receiver for preventing the firstprojection of the canister adapter from being inserted into the secondlumen entrance of the connector and the second projection of thecanister adapter from being inserted into the first lumen entrance ofthe connector.